UPDATE This letter was deemed too lengthy by the editors so we trimmed it down. You can read the revised letter here. ============================= I submitted the following to the editors of North Dakota’s four largest newspapers. ============================= Dear Editor The Schulte Report begins with the sentence “The North Dakota mental health and substance abuse system is in crisis. “ This is a spot on descriptor of what many families are dealing with in the state of North Dakota. Our young son has severe mental illness. Now, we are being told that in order for him to gain access to continued services it is common practice for parents to give up custody to the state in order to facilitate immediate access to prescribed and necessary services. Let me clarify that. Two different psychiatrists told us that in order to facilitate care, we need to bring our son to the hospital, state

Over and over again in the last two days, I have asked doctors for help. For recommendations regarding getting care for our son, David. The number one recommendation that all of the doctor’s make is that we give up custody. “If you give up custody to the state, he will get services almost immediately.” stated one doctor. “We struggle with getting help for the kids all of the time, because the facilities put up road blocks to getting care for kids.” he further reported. “Bring him here, say that you can no longer take him home, and that you give up custody of him.” was an additional point that the doctor made. The doctor won’t go on the record. The doctor reported as well that this is his experience in the state of North Dakota. But will not go on record to talk with the head of the Department of

So I repeatedly was told that the way it is typically done for kids to get mental health care is for the parents to give up custody to the state. The doctor said, “you should give up custody to the state if you don’t think that you can handle him.” I said no. There is more, but I have to process everything else that I was told before I go further here today. We are good parents, and this is what we are supposed to do to get him care. there is a huge flaw in the system of care if the only way to get him care is to turn him over to the state, or let him enter the legal system. A huge flaw. Tweet #fighting4answrs